Nigeria to host Special AU Summit July 15

Nigeria is to host a Special Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government, tagged Abuja+12 Special Summit in July, to evolve modules that will intensify the implementation of programmes of Action Committee of AIDS Watch Africa (AWA).

President Goodluck Jonathan agreed to host the conference during the meeting of Heads of State and Government of Action Committee of AIDS Watch Africa held on Sunday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was held as part of the side-line events of the AU summit and was chaired by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Haile-Mariam Desalegn, who is also the AU chairperson.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Heads of State renewed their commitment to intensify effort towards the realisation of the objectives of AWA.

“We adopted and committed ourselves to the following; the outcome of our Action Committee meeting as summarised in decision on the Report of AWA Action Committee of Heads of State and Government meeting, which will be presented to the 21st session of the AU Assembly for endorsement and subsequent dissemination to stakeholders and partners for follow up action.

“We request AU member states to develop a sustainable investment plan for health, particularly AIDS, TB and Malaria, with year-on-year increase in domestic funding.

“AWA will play a key and leadership role in the forthcoming special Summit of the AU Heads of government (Abuja+12 Summit) in July in Abuja, Nigeria.

“Intensify and facilitate advocacy and further develop partnership at all levels. In this regard, we call upon the partners to build on their commendable supports received so far, for Africa to win the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria.